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What is slavery? How did the Transatlantic Slave Trade develop? What was life like on the plantations? What was the Triangular Trade? How could people argue for such a trade? Why it was finally abolished? Here you can find information on these topics, the development of the abolition movement and the opposition it faced.

The African freedom movement was active from the beginning of chattel slavery. Resistance took many forms. In this section you can find details of four rebellions as well as facts and figures about the resistance of enslaved people on board the ships and on the plantations.

Despite powerful opposition from those profiting from the trade, the abolitionists developed the first ever campaign, in which ordinary people became angry about the treatment and rights of others outside their own community. It also saw the first use of many of the campaign tactics we value today.

Who was Thomas Clarkson? What role did he play in the abolition movement? In this section you can find out more about the man who was called the ‘moral steam engine’ about his life dedicated to the abolition of slavery and the innovative campaign methods he introduced.

In this section you can find digitised copies of original documents and illustrations relating to the slave trade. These sources have been copyright cleared for you to download and use in lessons. The material dates from 1783 when the abolition movement was just forming to 1879.

This site looks at those who fought for the ending of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the British colonies. The site has been designed to provide background information, lesson ideas and tools for teachers and learners.